Month: June 2011

Recalls and Alerts: June 28, 2011

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.

United States

  • Allergy Alert: Risvold’s Salads Inc. (Gardena, CA) recalls Seafood Pasta Salad (Use by 7/17/11) and Seafood Salad (Use by 6/27/11, 7/4/11 and 7/11/11), because they may contain undeclared milk, sunflower, sesame and soy. The recalled salads were sold behind the deli case in retail markets in Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Idaho.
  • Allergy Alert: JFC International, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) recalls all UCC and Taitan Instand Drink Mix (Product of Taiwan), because they contain undeclared milk.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Nestlé Purina PetCare Company recalls Cat Chow Naturals Dry Cat Food (6.3-lb bag; Best by Aug 2012; Production Code 10331083 13), and Friskies Grillers Blend Dry Cat Food (3.15-lb and 16-lb bags; Best By Aug 2012; Production code 10381083 06), because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The bags were distributed in error in February 2011 to a small number of customers in Colorado, Idaho and Oregon, which may have further distributed the products to other Western states.
  • Food Safety/Outbreak Alert: FDA warns the public not to eat alfalfa sprouts or spicy sprouts from plastic bags labeled “Evergreen Produce” or “Evergreen Produce Inc.” because the sprouts may be linked to 21 confirmed Salmonella Enteritidis infections in five US states: Idaho (3), Montana (7), North Dakota (1), New Jersey (1) and Washington (9). Three people have been hospitalized. The investigation is ongoing, and the producer has not (yet) recalled the implicated sprouts.
  • Outbreak Alert: The Alaska Section of Epidemiology is investigating four known cases of Campylobacter infections associated with drinking raw milk from an Alaska dairy farm in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley that operates a cow-share program.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: The Alabama Department of Public Health is continuing its investigation into an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in Lee County that has sickened 13 children and two adults who either played in the Splash Park or swam in the pool at the Opelika SportsPlex and Aquatic Center. Five of the children have been confirmed positive for E. coli O157:H7; four children were hospitalized initially, and two remain in hospital.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Wild Foods, Inc., dba Ma Baensch’s, Baensch Food Products Co. (Milwaukee, WI) that a February-April 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation, and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns La Fiesta Food Products, Inc. (San Jose, CA) that a February 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood repackaging facility revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Ozark Bottling Co. (Lake Ozark, MO) that a January/February 2011 inspection of the company’s facility revealed serious deviations from the Acidified Food regulations described in Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 108, Emergency Permit Control (21 CFR Part 108) and Part 114, Acidified Foods (21 CFR Part 114).
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Sally Jackson Cheeses (Oroville, WA) that a December 2010 inspection of the company’s cheese processing establishment revealed the presence of the pathogen E. coli O157:H7 in a sample of aged cow milk cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves, and the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of aged raw goat milk cheese wrapped in grape leaves, rendering these cheeses adulterated. The E. coli O157:H7 isolate obtained from the aged cow milk cheese sample was indistinguishable from a strain of E. coli O157:H7 that caused an outbreak of human illness.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Los Genuinos, Inc. (Bayamon, PR) that a January 2011 inspection of the company’s food manufacturing facility revealed serious violations of Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 110 (21 CFR 110), Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) in Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Baxter Healthcare Corporation (Deerfield, IL) that a July/August 2010 inspection of the company’s pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Jayuya, PR revealed significant violations of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for Finished Pharmaceuticals, Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 210 and 211.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Mutual Trading Company, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) that a May 2010 inspection of the company’s seafood processor/importer/distribution facility revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point regulation, and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.

Canada

  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Advisory: Following an R.C.M.P. seizure of counterfeit Cialis in the Greater Toronto Area, Health Canada is reminding Canadians that unauthorized and counterfeit health products can pose serious risks to their health. The seized product contained sildenafil, instead of the authorized prescription medicine tadalafil.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Asda withdraws Asda Extra Special Strawberry & White Chocolate Popcorn, 150g (Best before 04/11/11), because a packaging error has resulted in the packages containing Pecan and Milk Chocolate Popcorn, and presents a risk to people who are allergic to nuts.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Lantmännen Cerealia recalls Kornkammeret organic muesli (Best before 15.02.2012), because the product contains a foreign object which may be rodent residue.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (France): Sixteen cases of E. coli O104:H4 infections in Gironde have been linked to the consumption of raw sprouts. Eight of the patients are suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): AIC Merchandising (Japan) Ltd recalls TOPVALU TV SALT Flavoured Instant Ramen Noodles (Product of Japan; Expiry October 6, 2011), because the sachet of soup powder included in the noodle pack was found to contain DEHP.
  • Chinese Medicine Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Wah Shun Medicine Limited recalls [W.S] Gan Mao Ling, because the medicine contains excessive arsenic.
  • Chinese Medicine Safety Alert (Singapore): The Health Sciences Authority warns consumers not to use Ren Sem Tu Chon Chin Kuo Pill and Huo Li Bao, as these Chinese medicines contain undeclared western pharmaceutical ingredients, including dexamethasone, chlorpheniramine, piroxican, and/or frusemide.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Shin Mi (Australia) Pty Ltd. recalls WANG Dried Kelp Varech Speche (56g and 170g plastic packets; Product of Korea; Date Marking 2013.01.20), because the dried seaweed contains high levels of naturally occurring iodine.
  • Safety Advisory (Australia): The Therapeutic Goods Administration warns consumers that Pure Fat Three Days Reduce Weight Capsules, sold over the internet, contain therapeutic quantities of sibutramine, and are not 100% herbal as claimed. Sibutramine was a prescription-only medicine supplied in Australia until it was withdrawn in October 2010 due to safety concerns.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket’s recall web site.

Outbreaks and Alerts: June 27, 2011

A daily digest of international outbreaks, alerts and food safety news

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.

United States

  • Lansing, MI. June 23rd: The Michigan Department of Community Health announced three people in Michigan have been diagnosed with of Q fever after drinking raw milk from a dairy herd share program Livingston County.
  • Lee County, AL. June 24th: Six children sickened with E. coli O157:H7 after playing in Opelika Splash Park and Aquatic Center.
  • Anchorage, AK. June 27th: The State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology is investigating four recent cases of Campylobacter infection associated with drinking raw milk from an Alaska farm.
  • Idaho, New Jersey, North Dakota, Washington & Montana. June 24th: FDA warns the public not to eat alfalfa sprouts or spicy sprouts from plastic bags labeled “Evergreen Produce” or “Evergreen Produce Inc.” because the sprouts may be linked to as many as 20 cases of Salmonella Enteritidis in Idaho, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota and Washington State. Six of the outbreak victims report having consumed sprouts obtained from Evergreen Produce (Moyie Springs, ID). While no recall has been initiated, federal and state officials are warning consumers to discard any Evergreen Produce sprouts in their possession.
  • Cruise Ship Inspection. June 10th: Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 fails routine unannounced CDC Vessel Sanitation Program inspection, obtaining a score of 84 (a score of 86 or above represents a Satisfactory result).

Europe, including Russian Federation and Ukraine

  • Bordeaux, France. June 27th: Sprout seeds incriminated in an outbreak of E. coli O104:H4 in Bordeaux were imported from Italy. The seeds were purchased from Jardiland de Villenave d’Ornon (Gironde) before sprouting. At least 10 people are suffering from bloody diarrhea, 8 of whom have been hospitalized. Five of the victims are suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome. At least six people reported having consumed sprouts. E. coli O104:H4 has been confirmed in 3 of the outbreak victims.

Asia and Africa

  • Hong Kong. June 22nd: The Centre for Health Protection is investigating a suspected food poisoning case involving 14 members of a study tour group from Taiwan. The victims developed gastroenteritis some 10-35 hours after dining at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui in the evening of June 20th.
  • Kinshasa, Congo. June 27th: Four new cases of cholera were reported in Kinshasa earlier today, bringing the total number of cases in the capital city to seven.
  • Zabul Province, Afghanistan. June 27th: More than 70 civilians and military personnel in the Ma’ruf district of Zabul province have developed cholera. Another 200 people have been exposed to the disease and are experiencing its initial symptoms. Members of the Afghan air force and the US 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group have transported medical personnel and supplies to the affected region.


Recall Roundup: June 27, 2011

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.

United States

  • Allergy Alert: Chef One, Corp. (Brooklyn, NY) recalls Chef One Pork Egg Rolls (4 cases of 9-lb boxes), because the product contains undeclared soy, milk and egg. The recalled item was produced on May 2, 2011 and shipped to a distribution center in Brooklyn, NY.
  • Allergy Alert: J.R. Simplot Food Group recalls Skincredibles® 8 Cut Wedge Potatoes (Date codes 006MAR311001, 006APR191001, 006APR201001, and 006JUL181001), because the product contains undeclared wheat.
  • Food Safety Recall: Specialities Agro Alimentation (Millington, NJ) recalls imported Noel Jamón Serrano Boneless Spanish Dry-Cured Ham and Bloc Noel Serrano Ham (Product of Spain; Production codes 11000481 or 11000119), because the ham products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
  • Food Safety Recall: Eagle Produce, LLC (Scottsdale, AZ) recalls certain shipments of Kandy brand cantaloupes supplied to Sam’s Club in late May and sold at Sam’s Club stores serviced by the Johnstown, NY and Pottsville, PA distribution centers between June 2 and June 17, 2011. The recalled melons may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: Chicago Boxed Beef Distributors Inc. (Shorewood, IL) recalls Sausage Links & Cooked Sausage Patties raw and ready-to-eat sausage products (all product currently in commerce) that were not handled in a manner to prevent cross contamination between raw and ready-to-eat products. The recalled products were sold to a distributor for door-to-door sale in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, South Carolina and Texas.
  • Food Safety Recall: AtlantaFresh Artisan Creamery (Norcross, GA) recalls 60 pounds of fresh mozzarella (8-oz balls; Best By 7/16), because the product was inadequately pasteurized. The recalled cheeses were sold at several farmers markets.
  • Food Safety Recall: Dole Fresh Vegetables (Monterey, CA) recalls Dole® Italian Blend Salad (Use by June 12, 2011) and Kroger Fresh Selections Italian Style Blend Salad (Use by June 19, 2011), because the salads may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The salads were distributed in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Rhode Island, and were exported to Canada. 
  • Food Safety Recall: Rich Products Corporation recalls Rich’s Fresh ‘N Ready® Pizza Crusts (Product codes 03604, 06642, 07366, 07367, 07386, 07945, 08012, 08848, produced between April 29, 2011 and June 10, 2011), because the pizza crusts may be contaminated with small metal fragments.
  • FDA Enforcement Action: FDA announces that Sungwon Inc of Columbia (Columbia, MD), a manufacturer and distributor of ready-to-eat Asian food products, and the company’s president, Sang Ja Lee, have signed a consent decree of permanent injunction. The consent decree restrains Sungwon Inc of Columbia, and Mrs. Lee from processing food until the company complies with the FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations. The company also is restrained from processing seafood until it complies with the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Nature Relief recalls Nature Relief Instant Wart and Mole Remover, because the active ingredient may result in harmful burns to the skin. The recalled product was sold as a kit via direct-to-consumer Internet marketing.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Qualitest Pharmaceuticals recalls Butalbital, Acetaminophen and Caffeine Tablets USP, 50mg/325mg/40mg (Lot Numbers C0390909A, C0400909A, C0410909A, C0590909B) and Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets, USP 7.5mg/500mg (Lot Numbers C0390909A, C0400909A, C0410909A, C0590909B), because the recalled bottles may contain incorrect tablets, due to a packaging error.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Endo Pharmaceuticals recalls Endocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen, USP) Tablets, 10 mg/325 mg 100 count bottles (NDC 60951-712-70; Lot #402415NV and #402426NV) because some of the bottles may contain some Endocet® 10 mg/650 mg Tablets. The recalled products were supplied to wholesalers in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, New York, Ohio, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Illinois, Kentucky, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Louisiana, North Carolina, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Florida and Tennessee between April 19, 2011 and May 10, 2011, for further distribution to other wholesalers and retailers nationwide, including Puerto Rico.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: Altaire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Aquebogue, NY) and Rugby Laboratories, Inc. (Duluth, GA) recall the OTC medicine Children’s Pain & Fever Concentrated Drops, 1/2 fl. oz. (15 ml) bottle (Lot Nos. 09002, 09379, 10272, 10368, 10487, 09131, 09394, 10273, 10406, 11058, 09215, 10154, 10366, 10433), because the product fails to meet the child-resistant closure requirement. The recalled OTC medicine was sold at drug stores, grocery stores and other retailers nationwide between January 2009 and June 2011.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Lundberg Family Farms (Richvale, CA) recalls Lundberg Family Farms brand Sea Salt Rice Chips, 170g (6 oz) pkg (Product of USA; Code #11011; Best before 2012 FE 13), because the product contains undeclared soy protein. The recalled product was distributed nationally.
  • Allergy Alert: Fruiticana Produce Inc. (Surrey, BC) recalls Indican brand Punjabi Wadi Spicy Lentil Chunks (200g, 400g and 800g sizes), because the product contains undeclared wheat. The recalled product was distributed in British Columbia and Alberta.
  • Allergy Alert: Fruiticana Produce Inc. (Surrey, BC) recalls Indican brand Aam Papad Candy, 150g pkg (Product of India), because the product contains undeclared sulphites. The recalled candy was distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
  • Allergy Alert: Indigo Books & Music Inc. (Toronto, ON) recalls Indigosweets brand Dark Chocolate Sponge Toffee, 140g pkg (all Best before dates), because the product contains undeclared milk. The recalled sponge toffee was distributed nationally.
  • Allergy Alert: SOS – Splash of Style Inc. recalls Sanjeev Kapoor’s Khazana Sweet Chilli Chutneys, 300g (Batch No 031210HCSP-IMFG DT December-2010; Best Before May-2012), because the product may contain undeclared sulphites. The recalled chutneys were distributed through retailers in Ontario.
  • Allergy Alert: Patisserie Carvin Deli Inc. recalls Audrey Peanut Butter & Chocolate Soft & Chewy Cookie, 100g (Best before 19AU11), because the product contains undeclared peanuts. The recalled cookies were distributed through retailers in Quebec.
  • Food Safety Recall: Boulangerie Pâtisserie Épicerie de L’Annonciation (Rivière-Rouge, QC) recalls various products sold in 250-mL and 1-L glass jars, because the products were not prepared in a manner that ensures their safety, and the instruction “garder réfrigéré” was omitted from some of the product labels.
  • Food Safety Recall: Asian Food Centre Stores recalls Asian brand Rangkat Powder Sodium Hydrosulphite, 200g and Asian brand Rangkat Decolite, 200g, due to the presence of undeclared additives. The recalled products were distributed in Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Fromagerie La Vache à Maillotte (La Sarre, QC) recalls Rose brand Semi Hard Ripened Cheese (Lot #011), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled cheese was sold only in Abitibi-Temiscamingue, Québec.
  • Food Safety Recall: Dole Fresh Vegetables Inc. (Monterey, CA), Metro Ontario Inc., Loblaw Companies Ltd., and Gambles Ontario Produce Inc. recall Dole Italian Blend Salad, 10 oz./283g plastic bag (Best Before date 11-JN-19), because the salad may contain Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was distributed in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and New Brunswick, and may have been distributed nationally.
  • Food Safety Recall: Rich Products of Canada Ltd. recalls various Rich’s brand Fresh ‘N Ready Oven Rising Sheeted Pizza Dough products (Codes 77001119 to 77001161), due to contamination with metal particles. The recalled products were distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions nationally, and were also exported to the USA.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Lamonds Bakery Products recalls Lamond Perkin Biscuit, pack of 10, Lamond Coffee Bun, pack of 8, and Lamond Banbury Biscuit, pack of 10 (All best before dates between 08/08/2011 and 12/08/2011, inclusive), becuase the products contain undeclared eggs. The recalled products were sold in Co-operative and Scotmid co-operative stores in Scotland.
  • Allergy Alert (Finland): MakroBios Oy Ab recalls Tofutti Vanilla brand vanilla soy ice cream (Product of UK; Best before: 010 712 200 812), because the product contains small amounts of undeclared casein.
  • Food Safety Recall (Finland): Evira advises the public that Marinaramix brand Frozen Seafood Mix (Product of Vietnam; Best before 082012; Production date August 12, 2010) has been recalled after Sweden advised that Salmonella was found in a sample of the batch. The product was sold in the Aseanic Trading store in Helsinki and the China Market store in Turku, and may have been sold in other locations.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC recalls Morrisons Scottish cooked crab claws snap and eat, 400g (Use-by date: 21 July 2011), because the batch was labeled with an incorrect “use-by” date.
  • Food Safety Recall Cancelled (France): Société Spanghero cancels its precautionary recall of Maison Spanghero (DLC of 21-23 June 2011, inclusive), Steak Country (DLC of 22-25 June 2011, inclusive), and Bien Vu (DLC of 20-24 June 2011, inclusive) fresh ground meats, and of containers of ground steak labeled simply with the weight and price (DLC of 20 to 24 June 2011, inclusive), after analyses carried out by the National Reference Laboratory concluded that the products were not contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Food Safety advises the public that a sample of King of Fruits Lychee Pulp Concentrated Juice (Product of Taiwan; for catering use only) was found to contain DEHP. The trade has been instructed to stop using this product.
  • Food Safety Alert/Recall (Hong Kong): The Centre for Food Safety has banned the import and supply of the following drink, and has ordered the recall of this product from the market, because it contains DEHP: Itamachi King Oolong Tea Drink (Product of China; Manufactured by Fuzhou Jinhe Ecolicil Science and Technology Co. Ltd).
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Winsor & Co recalls Vitamin B-6 Tab, 50mg and Natural E-200 Cap, as the products may have a number of irregularities.
  • Chinese Medicine Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Department of Health (DH) today (June 18) advised that patrons of a Chinese medicine practitioner (CMP), Yiu Shut-kwai, on Fuk Wa Street of Sham Shui Po, should check to see if they have been prescribed the Chinese medicinal herb Rhizoma Atractylodis since May 23. If so, they must not consume it as it is found contaminated.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Animal Feed Safety Recall (New Zealand): Viterra recalls NRM Peck n Lay Gold Pellets 10kg and 25kg; NRM Chick Starter Crumble 10kg and 25kg; NRM Pullet Grower Pellets 25kg; NRM Hi Lay Super Mash 25kg; NRM Meat Bird Crumble 25kg; and NRM Free Range Winter Pellets 25kg (Batch codes 12, 01, 02, 03, 04 or 05) after lasalocid, a registered veterinary medicine substance, was accidentally incorporated into the feeds. Some of the detected levels in feed are considered to be likely to lead to residues above the Maximum Residue Limits in eggs or meat from poultry fed these products.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Endo Pharmaceuticals recalls Endocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen, USP) Tablets, 10 mg/325 mg 100 count bottles (NDC 60951-712-70; Lot #402415NV and #402426NV) because some of the bottles may contain some Endocet® 10 mg/650 mg Tablets. The recalled products were supplied to wholesalers in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, New York, Ohio, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Illinois, Kentucky, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Louisiana, North Carolina, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Florida and Tennessee between April 19, 2011 and May 10, 2011, for further distribution to other wholesalers and retailers nationwide, including Puerto Rico.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket’s recall web site.